2.5 Deontology: Ethics as Duty

Kant's deontological ethics focuses on the inherent rightness of actions, not their consequences. It emphasizes duty and the categorical imperative, which guides moral decision-making through universal principles and respect for human dignity.

In business, Kantian ethics requires companies to act from moral duty, not just profit. This approach values fair competition, transparency, and treating stakeholders with respect. It contrasts with consequentialist theories like utilitarianism, which judge actions by their outcomes.

Kant's Deontological Ethics

Kant's duty and categorical imperative

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• Kant's deontological ethics emphasizes the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, rather than focusing on the consequences of those actions
• An action is considered moral only if it is done from a sense of duty, which involves adhering to moral rules or laws solely because it is one's duty to do so
• The categorical imperative is Kant's supreme principle of morality that determines whether an action is morally permissible
  • First formulation: Act only according to that maxim by which you can simultaneously will that it should become universal law
    • A maxim is the subjective principle or rule that an individual's will uses in making a decision to act
    • For an action to be morally permissible, one must be willing to universalize the maxim and accept a world where everyone follows that principle (lying, stealing)
  • Second formulation: Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end
    • Respecting the inherent dignity of persons requires treating people as ends in themselves, not merely as means to an end (exploitation, manipulation)
• In business contexts, Kantian ethics would require companies and individuals to act from a sense of moral duty, not just from self-interest or for profit (corporate social responsibility, ethical sourcing)
  • Business practices and decisions should be based on principles that could be universally adopted without contradiction (fair competition, transparency)
  • Employees, customers, and other stakeholders should be treated with respect, not merely as means to the company's ends (fair wages, product safety)
  • This approach emphasizes the importance of moral agency in decision-making

Deontology vs consequentialism

• Deontological ethics judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to moral rules or duties
  • Consequences are not considered relevant in determining the moral worth of an action
  • This approach aligns with moral absolutism, which holds that certain actions are inherently right or wrong
• Consequentialist theories like utilitarianism judge the morality of an action based on its consequences or outcomes
  • Utilitarianism holds that the most ethical action is the one that maximizes overall utility (happiness or well-being) for all affected parties
• Key differences between deontology and utilitarianism:
  • Deontology focuses on the inherent rightness of actions, while utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of actions
  • Deontology emphasizes moral rules and duties (honesty, promise-keeping), while utilitarianism emphasizes maximizing overall utility (greatest good for the greatest number)
  • Deontology holds that some actions are morally forbidden regardless of consequences (murder, theft), while utilitarianism allows for actions that may violate moral rules if they lead to the best overall consequences (lying to protect someone from harm)

Application of Kantian ethics

• Identify the maxim or principle upon which the proposed action would be based
  • Consider whether the maxim could be universalized without contradiction
  • If the maxim fails the universalizability test, the action is not morally permissible (false advertising, insider trading)
• Determine whether the proposed action treats people as ends in themselves, not merely as means
  • Actions that exploit or disregard the inherent dignity of persons are not morally permissible (sweatshop labor, deceptive marketing)
• Examples of applying Kantian principles in business:
  • False advertising fails the universalizability test because if everyone made false claims, advertising would become meaningless
  • Exploiting workers in sweatshops treats them merely as means to profit and fails to respect their dignity as persons
  • Keeping promises and honoring contracts, even when it may not maximize profits, is a moral duty that follows from the categorical imperative (fulfilling warranties, maintaining confidentiality)

Key concepts in Kantian ethics

• Good will: The only thing that can be considered unconditionally good, representing the intention to act from duty
• Rationality: The capacity for moral reasoning that allows individuals to understand and apply moral principles
• Autonomy: The ability to make moral decisions independently, which is essential for moral responsibility
• Perfect duties: Moral obligations that must always be fulfilled, such as telling the truth or keeping promises
• Imperfect duties: Moral obligations that should be pursued but allow for some flexibility in their fulfillment, such as developing one's talents or helping others